[Chris NZ]

All of us joined this forum because we are interested in the 718 and appreciate where it sits in the range / what makes it special. So how many of you would consider a 911 instead?
I'm currently in a holding pattern before I can commit to ordering a 718 and when I do it will be to my exact specification and will cost in the region of NZ$170k. However a very low milage 911 C2 (3k miles) has just come on the market in the region of NZ$140k, which is quite a difference. It ticks most of the key spec boxes for me (manual, sport chrono, PASM, 18 way seats etc.) and the ones it doesn't aren't deal breakers. It already has PPF and ceramic coating and is in like new condition.

I've driven both the 718 and the 911 and appreciate what they offer and do differently. The 718 has more of the small sports car feel and is more like my current car; whereas the 911 feels more like a GT car in that it is more stable, planted, refined etc. plus it sounds great. Whilst a Cayman has always been my first choice, I was surprised at how much I like the 911 when I drove it and it may well be suited to as a daily driver in a single car household. For e.g. it can be used to take the dog to the beach (yes all kiwis love taking their dogs in the car like Nick Murray). The only place the Cayman is more practical is doing the weekly grocery shopping.

This has certainly given me food for thought. So what would you do?

 

[Baka1969]

I suppose if I were in the market for the upcoming GT4, I could see myself cross shopping with the 991.2 or even the new 992.

That said, I'm looking to get the case Cayman. Which is vastly less expensive than even a bone stock base Carrera with zero options. Which I believe the Cayman to be pretty much 90% of the experience of the Carrera for almost half the price.

 

[Chris NZ]

Thanks @Baka1969. To put it into perspective the price of this base, but well specified, 991.2 is approximately the same as a well specified base Cayman / less than a Cayman S with no options...

If I was buying the 911 new in NZ from a local dealer the cost would be circa NZ$220k.

 

[Gtipirelli]

I seriously considered a 991.2 used base model but they are generally still in the high £70k range here in the UK for the spec I would want. I just find that too much to spend on a car I will use predominantly to commute to work in. I want to cherish it and enjoy every drive so will reconsider again when I retire

 

[RGM718]

I actually set out to buy a CPO 911 in 09 when I actually test drove an 08 left over Cayman S. It was no contest...........after driving the Cayman and feeling the closest to what I felt when I raced Karts, I bought it. Until the 911 moves the engine ahead of the rear axle, the feeling of the lump in the back is not what I desire. It is all about what is important to the buyer, personally. My criteria is balanced performance and a feeling of being fully integrated into the car which significantly includes the rotation of the car in my back............

 

[alf_17]

I have a 718 Boxster on order, and frankly i did not even consider a 911 convertible.
In my opinion the 718 Boxster (S and GTS included) is the best top down option from Porsche with that great roadster feeling, and also better looking than the 911 convertible.


All that being said, if I were looking for a coupé I would seriously consider the 911 over the 718 Cayman.

The 718 Cayman would definitely have enough power for my use, and would most likely have better handling, but it has always been my dream to have a 911.
Other than that I think the 911 coupé looks better than the 718 Cayman, and the rear seats in the 911 could be useful for passengers on short drives (even though i know it's a tight squeeze to get back there).

Actually I am thinking of getting a 992 C2 in 2020 or 2021 to complete my perfect 2 car Porsche garage with the 718 Boxster as the small sportscar and the 911 as the sporty grand tourer.

 

[Beardy]

Apart from the rear view of the 911 I think the 718 is a nicer looking car from all other angles. I did consider a used 911 in the same price point but nothing I saw did it for me like the CGTS
The dealer also thinks you get more pleasure out of the 718 and when there are company track days going the 718 is what everyone wants

 

[JoTR]

I was in exactly the same situation. Totally smitten by the 718 CGTS 6MT but couldn’t resist the 911.2 T with Rear Wheel Steer.

The 718 is the better looking car with better dynamics but for my circumstances and intended use the 911 proved the right choice.

I wish I could have both.

 

[aeronca65tl]

Comparing a new 718 to a used 911 isn't really a fair comparison.

But I totally understand, because a good friend of mine doing exactly the same thing right now. When he was looking at my car last week, he mostly seemed to be worried about where his wife was going to put her purse. The back seat in the 911 is a plus in that regard. This may not seem very critical to someone like me, but his wife is funding his racing effort and she just bought him a pretty glorious racing ALFA GTV to go along with the racing MGA be already has......gotta keep Mommy happy )
My wife has never really complained about having to put her purse in the footwell of the Cayman: it's still easier than our Lotus 7.

Anyway.....my view is compare new to new or used to used. If you really want to save money, buy a CPO/used 718 or even look at a lightly used 6 cylinder Cayman.

And for the truly budget-minded, here's another idea:

Another friend of mine recently bought used 996/911. It's gorgeous and was obviously cared for, but has 100,000 and is almost 20 years old (IMS bearing was fixed). It was only $16,000 (USD). In terms of driving it's pretty nice (although not even close to my 718).
There are plenty of nice, used 996s in my area for under $20K (USD). Personally, I think they are the deal of the century.
And I have to admit, it would be cool to have a Cayman and a 911. Tempting, but I don't have the garage space.

 

[Semitone]

If value or saving some money was a priority for me, CPO all day long. The problem with buying a CPO car is what I call the "12K issue". Every car I find has 6k in options I couldn't care less about and is missing 6k in options I really want. So, right from the start the lot car is typically worth 12K less to me.

When I was shopping, I cross shopped a 911 GTS with the 718 GTS. Yeah..I know this is pretty unusual. I knew this car was going to see a lot of track duty so I wanted the performance options and the third radiator. I preferred the styling of the 911 but the size of the 718. Each car offered me about 90% of what I wanted in a car. Neither was perfect in my mind. All things being equal, the 911GTS was about 40% more expensive than the 718GTS. In the end, I decided to save the money. The left half of my brain did the buying in this case.

Very few cars really trigger my right brain. Pretty much a Singer or a Ferrari 458 Speciale...both out of my price range. Neither I would take to a track in any event.

 

[don]

I think a lot of 911 owners have always wanted and/or liked 911s so there is no question in their mind.

I think most 718 owners think overall the 718 looks better than a 911 but that it is all in the eye of the beholder.

Other owners purchase the 718 largely based on size and mid-engined performance. I think unless you are getting a 991.2 with rear axle steering (RAS) then it aint going to match it in the corners and it is going to be harder to drive at the limit.

If it is purely a grand touring car you are wanting for cruising the suburbs and highways and you like the look of the 911, or you need the back seats then I think the 991.2 is fine.

Financially a slightly used 991.2 911 is always going to be better than buying a newer 718.

Personally I've driven the 991.2s (without RAS) and the 718S/GTS just drives better, feels smaller on the road and IMO looks much much better. I can't really get over that big engine and big but out the back of the 911 which makes the car look unbalanced. The only 991.2 I'd consider if I had the finances would be a GT3. I think the rear wing helps take your eye away from the abnormally large rear end but then I think sense would prevail over emotion with respect to the poor practicality of GT cars.

I think in our small local Porsche dealer there are currently three low milage GT3s with customers apparently trading to a more comfortable Porsche.

I think you can kind of look at the 718 as to the 911 like an M2 is to an M3 and a lot of people feel the M2 (and 718) is getting back to the roots of the sports/M car feel.

I think this iteration of the 718 has reached a new level with improved performance and aesthetics so is definitely a worthy choice. Debadge it and most people will just think it is a 911 anyway.

 

[cipher]

I am looking at CPO 911s now as an addition.

 

[timlaw]

I went from a 7 year old 991 Carrera S into a nearly new CGTS

I had a budget for my next car - we all do - and it wasn't getting me from my 991 S into the 991's I would gave wanted - GTS or Targa 4S - in fact my budget of 25k and my 991 wouldn't have got me into a 991T pre owned

I chose the CGTS because for me it was a better car than a base 991 - quicker, sharper, better handling, looks and a much nicer spec than a base car

but you cant make a wrong choice here just the better one for you

 

[8833]

I thought about a Miami Blue 911 for a few hours when I was uncertain about getting an allocation for a CGTS. In the end, I did not want a rear-engine car.

 

[Lamb]

I have a 2018 718 CS and I love it...having said that, everyone should own a 911 at least once...

 

[GGG]

All of us joined this forum because we are interested in the 718 and appreciate where it sits in the range / what makes it special. So how many of you would consider a 911 instead?
I'm currently in a holding pattern before I can commit to ordering a 718 and when I do it will be to my exact specification and will cost in the region of NZ$170k. However a very low milage 911 C2 (3k miles) has just come on the market in the region of NZ$140k, which is quite a difference. It ticks most of the key spec boxes for me (manual, sport chrono, PASM, 18 way seats etc.) and the ones it doesn't aren't deal breakers. It already has PPF and ceramic coating and is in like new condition.

I've driven both the 718 and the 911 and appreciate what they offer and do differently. The 718 has more of the small sports car feel and is more like my current car; whereas the 911 feels more like a GT car in that it is more stable, planted, refined etc. plus it sounds great. Whilst a Cayman has always been my first choice, I was surprised at how much I like the 911 when I drove it and it may well be suited to as a daily driver in a single car household. For e.g. it can be used to take the dog to the beach (yes all kiwis love taking their dogs in the car like Nick Murray). The only place the Cayman is more practical is doing the weekly grocery shopping.

This has certainly given me food for thought. So what would you do?

Get the 911. You get the icon of Porsche and you can take your dog with you. The best car is the one you'll use the most often.


I choose a 718 Boxster because I wasn't madly in love with the 911 convertible. But the choice would have been harder if a (second hand) 911 to my liking wasn't over 50% more expensive and a new one wasn't close to double the price.

 

[jdstein11]

Great topic Chris. [I like to watch Nick Murray, as well. ]

I leased my 2018 718 Boxster with the intention of upgrading to a 911 at the end, or even before the end. I absolutely LOVE my car and have pushed it pretty far in terms of road / highway driving in NJ and, similar to your and others' descriptions of the car, just can't help but have a perma-grin planted whenever we take it out. It is a blast to drive and has excellent balance.

That being said, I have never driven a 911 but know the additional power can only increase the overall satisfaction of driving it, plus with the additional option of rear seats - if you can call them that - provides just enough extra storage to take the car on road trips. The Boxster actually has a LOT of space with the additional trunk to go with the similar frunk in the 911, and moving to the 911 takes some back.

I LOVE the 992 design and would absolutely consider getting one, but need to drive one first to truly be able to compare the two.

 

[Peter]

After a 987 for 9 years, a 981 for 4 years and then a 718 Boxster S in 2017, I changed after a year to a 2 year old 2016 991.2 911S Cab in 2018. Solely because I couldn't get on with the turbo 4's annoying drone (I know controversial opinion). However, I have had very mixed feelings since. I really miss the nimbleness of the 718 and the rear boot/trunk and I think in open top form it looks much nicer than the 911. Yet the 911 is an icon and sounds brilliant, although a bit financially provocative on the street in these turbulent austerity times in the sinking UK. I just wish they'd produced the new 718 with the old 981 engine, sod the extra power, torque and emissions nonsense. If I had my time again, I'd have upgraded my 4 year old 981 to the latest possible (2016) lowest mileage 981 S or GTS in 2017 and saved a bunch of money on trading again. Having said that, the 718 is a much better car than the 981 in every other respect. Tough decision for you, except there is the factor of most Porsche drivers wanting to aspire (I know some will disagree) to a 911 before they die.

 

[aeronca65tl]

....... Debadge it and most people will just think it is a 911 anyway.

This is really true. I don't think any of my neighbors realize there is two versions of a Porsche sports car with a roof. It doesn't hurt that the cars are so similar in front view.

Sometimes I'm not sure if I see one head on (see link below).

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4ZaJ8YKYbTk/hqdefault.jpg

......but you cant make a wrong choice here just the better one for you

Again, very true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I have an update on a friend of mine who was looking at a used 911 or a new 718.

His wife actually was the catalyst for all of this. We stayed over at their house on New Years Eve and she really liked our Cayman. She actually told her husband, "Why don't we get one of those?"

He seemed to be worried about where his wife would put her purse in the Cayman (more worried than her, actually).

Anyway, after some deliberation he ended up buying a used, base 911 Carrara with PDK for "low $60s".

His "new" 911 is a 2012 model with 13,000 miles. The car is nice and has almost no options other than the PDK (so it's similar in that way to my 718). Car is not CPO. Personally, I think he paid too much for it. My new PDK Cayman cost me about $7000 less.

I think he got caught up the "iconic 911" viewpoint which is fine. Much of the purchase of these cars is emotional and he seems quite happy.

.

 

[ZS-REU]

I've never aspired to driving a 911 because for me its origin was based on the rear engined VW Beetle but now far down the evolution chain and super refined and powerful. ....but it's still got that VW DNA.
Apparently the first iteration for the 356 was in fact a mid engine concept, but for some reason Porsche reverted to the Beetle layout. A Pity! Imagine how good the 911's would be with a mid engine layout.
Not being a open top car driver, the Boxter wasn't for me but I did appreciate the new engine location when it was launched.
I eventually purchased the 987CS as my everyday car and loved it for the seven years I had it.
I never had the need for the 1/2 rear seats as I'm retired and my kids all grown up. I do find the Cayman very practical with its two boots. (Trunks in US speak) This will be a major decision factor to a buyer needs.

The 911 GTS and 718C GTS were launched at the same time in SA and I drove them back to back. The 911 was quicker but not mind bendingly quicker that I thought "I've got to have this car"!
When specked to exactly same levels the premium the 911 GTS cost over the 718 GTS was 50%. I could afford either one but I just couldn't justify such a premium for relatively little extra useable performance and knowing that engineering wise it still carried the initial error Porsche made with the 2nd 356 and onwards.

I understand the massive marketing and racing heritage invested the last 50 odd years in the 911 and hence its now iconic status, but for me that's pretty much where 90% of that premium is.
Another way I tested my logic was, assuming I were given the choice between a 911 and a 718 with identical specs and engines and selling at the same price. .....Now which one would I choose? 718 it was for me. And after 10 months I'm still delighted with that choice.